Cosmetic container

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a cosmetic container. The cosmetic container includes a housing assembly and a cover assembly snap fitted to the housing assembly. The cover assembly includes an outer cap including an interior shell, an exterior transparent shell and a decorative material. The exterior transparent shell encloses the interior shell to create an air space between the interior shell and the exterior transparent shell. The decorative material is disposed in the air space.

PRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/663,984, filed on Apr. 27, 2018. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cosmetic container, and more particularly, to a cosmetic container with aesthetic appearance.

DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND

There are numerous cosmetics on the market. Each one is designed to enhance, improve and/or alter the appearance of one or more aesthetic features of a person. The cost of the container of a cosmetic impacts the pricing of the cosmetic. Therefore, it is desired to provide cosmetic containers having reasonable cost and an attractive appearance.

This Discussion of the Background section is provided for background information only. The statements in this Discussion of the Background are not an admission that the subject matter disclosed in this Discussion of the Background section constitute prior art to the present disclosure, and no part of this Discussion of the Background section may be used as an admission that any part of this application, including this Discussion of the Background section, constitutes prior art to the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a cosmetic container. The cosmetic container includes a housing assembly and a cover assembly snap fitted to the housing assembly. The cover assembly includes an outer cap including an interior shell, an exterior transparent shell, and a decorative material. The exterior transparent shell encloses the interior shell to create an air space between the interior shell and the exterior transparent shell. The decorative material is disposed in the air space.

In some embodiments, the outer cap further comprises a lid sealing the air space.

In some embodiments, the lid covers the interior shell and the exterior transparent shell.

In some embodiments, the decorative material is a combination of solid and liquid.

In some embodiments, the cover assembly further comprises an inner cap received in the outer cap.

In some embodiments, the inner cap includes a forward portion having a first profile, a rim having a second profile, and an intermediate portion sandwiched between the forward portion and the rim, wherein the intermediate portion has a diameter that gradually varies in size at positions of increasing distance from the forward portion.

In some embodiments, the housing assembly includes a base, a spiral, a sleeve, and a carrier; the spiral is disposed over the base and includes a shaft and a helical track on an inner peripheral surface of the shaft, the sleeve seated on the spiral and includes an aligning member, and the carrier is slidably mounted in the sleeve and includes a stem extending through the aligning member and a least one lug projecting from the stem and engaged with the helical track to cause the carrier to move relative to the base.

In some embodiments, the aligning member divides the sleeve into a front segment distal to the base and a rear segment proximal to the base, wherein the front segment has a first diameter and the rear segment has a second diameter less than the first diameter.

In some embodiments, the spiral further includes a protrusion disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the shaft and captured by a groove provided on the sleeve.

In some embodiments, the housing assembly further includes a collar, wherein the collar includes a front open end distal from the base and a rear closed end secured in the base.

In some embodiments, the spiral further includes a plurality of ribs extending radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft and an annular body disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft and connected to front ends of the ribs, wherein the ribs and the annular body are in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the collar.

In some embodiments, wherein the ribs are separated by equal distances.

In some embodiments, the collar further includes a projection protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the collar, wherein the projection is positioned above and in contact with the annular body.

In some embodiments, the rear closed end has a profile conforming to the base, and the front open end has a profile different from the profile of the rear closed end.

In some embodiments, the collar further includes a flange disposed at an interfacing edge of the front open end and the rear closed end, and the flange is in contact with a contact surface of the base after being assembled.

In some embodiments, the collar further comprises at least one contact portion disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the rear closed end for engaging with at least one slot provided on the base.

In some embodiments, the housing assembly further includes a weight block received in the base.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and technical advantages of the disclosure are described hereinafter, and form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the concepts and specific embodiments disclosed may be utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures, or processes, for carrying out the purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit or scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims. The disclosure should also be understood to be coupled to the figures' reference numbers, which refer to similar elements throughout the description.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cosmetic container in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a housing assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cosmetic container in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of an area A in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a sleeve in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a carrier in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the carrier in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an assembled view of the cosmetic container in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments, or examples, of the disclosure illustrated in the drawings are now described using specific language. It shall be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is hereby intended. Any alteration or modification of the described embodiments, and any further applications of principles described in this document, are to be considered as normally occurring to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure relates. Reference numerals may be repeated throughout the embodiments, but this does not necessarily mean that feature(s) of one embodiment apply to another embodiment, even if they share the same reference numeral.

It shall be understood that, although the Willis first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers or sections are not limited by these terms. Rather, these terms are merely used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present inventive concept.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting to the present inventive concept. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It shall be understood that the terms “comprises” and “comprising,” when used in this specification, point out the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cosmetic container 10 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a housing assembly 20 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cosmetic container 10 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the cosmetic container 10, adapted to support a cosmetic product such as a lipstick, includes a housing assembly 20 and a cover assembly 30 snap fitted to the housing assembly 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, he housing assembly 20 includes a base 210, a collar 220, a spiral 230, a sleeve 240 and a carrier 250, which are preferably molded from a plastic material to provide a degree of resilience to the housing assembly 20 and for ease and lower costs of manufacture. In some embodiments, the base 210 is made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic or acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (SAN) plastic, the collar 220 and the spiral 230 are made of ABS plastic, and the sleeve 240 and the carrier 250 are made of polycyclohexanedimethyl terephthalate glycol (PCTG).

The base 210 includes a raised portion 212 having a contact surface 2122 and a receiving area 214 recessed from the contact surface 2122. In some embodiments, the base 210 has a substantially square profile.

The collar 220 includes a front open end 222 distal from the base 210 and a rear closed end 224 secured in the receiving area 214. In some embodiments, the front open end 222 has a circular profile, and the rear closed end 224 has a square profile for fitting into the receiving area 214. In some embodiments, the collar 220 may further include one or more contact portions 226 protruding from an outer peripheral surface 2242 of the rear closed end 224 for engaging with one or more slots 216 provided on the base 210 for improving stability after the base 210 and the collar 220 are assembled. FIG. 4 is a close-up view of an area A in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the collar 220 further includes a projection 229, that protrudes from an inner peripheral surface 2244 of the collar 220.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 to 3, in some embodiments, the collar 220 further includes a flange 228 disposed at an interfacing edge of the front open end 222 and the rear closed end 224, wherein the flange 228 is in contact with the contact surface 2122 after being assembled. In some embodiments, the flange 228 may have a square profile.

In some embodiments, the spiral 230 is received in the collar 220. In some embodiments, the spiral 230 includes a shaft 232 formed in a cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the spiral 230 further includes a plurality of ribs 234 extending radially outwards from an outer peripheral surface 2322 of the shaft 232, an annular body 235 disposed on the outer peripheral surface 2322 and connected to front ends of the ribs 234, and a protrusion 236 disposed on the outer peripheral surface 2322 and spaced apart from the annular body 235. In some embodiments, the ribs 234 are separated by equal distances. In some embodiments, the shaft 232, the ribs 234 and the annular body 235 are integrally formed. In some embodiments, a helical track 238 is formed on an inner peripheral surface 2324 of the shaft 232. In some embodiments, the helical track 238 extends almost all the way around the inner peripheral surface 2324.

Referring again to 4, in some embodiments, the annular body 235 and portions of the ribs 234 are in contact with the inner peripheral surface 2244 of the collar 220, and the projection 229 is positioned above and in contact with the annular body 235 after being assembled.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the sleeve 240 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve 240 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the sleeve 240 has a substantially tubular body and includes an aligning member 242 formed therein. In some embodiments, the aligning member 242 divides the sleeve 240 into a front segment 244 distal to the base 210 and a rear segment 246 proximal to the base 210. In some embodiments, the aligning member 242 has a non-circular aperture 2422. In some embodiments, the aperture 2422 may be an oval with two opposite straight sides 2424. In some embodiments, the front segment 244 has a first diameter D1, and the rear segment 246 has a second diameter D2, wherein the first diameter D1 is greater than the second diameter D2.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the sleeve 240 is inserted into the collar 220 receiving the spiral 230, the protrusion 236 of the spiral 230 is captured by a groove 248 provided on the rear segment 246 so that the sleeve 240 can be firmly fixed to the spiral 230. In some embodiments, the aligning member 242, the rear segment 246 and a portion of the front segment 244 are received in the collar 220. In some embodiments, the front segment 244 is seated on the collar 220 after being assembled.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a carrier 250 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, and FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the carrier 250 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, the carrier 250 is slidably mounted in the sleeve 240. In some embodiments, the carrier 250 includes a cup 252 and a stem 254 extending longitudinally from the cup 252 and extending through the aperture 2422. In some embodiments, a plurality of spikes 256 are formed in an interior wall 2522 of the cup 252 to grip the cosmetic product securely. In some icy embodiments, the stem 254 has a non-circular external cross-sectional profile that matches the aperture 2422 of the sleeve 240 to prevent the stem 254 from rotating within the sleeve 240. In some embodiments, the stem 254 includes two opposite flat external walls 2542 and two opposite curved external walls 2544 respectively connected to the flat external walls 2542.

In some embodiments, the stem 254, extending through the aperture 2422, may further include a pair of stoppers 258 extending laterally from the flat external walls 2542. In some embodiments, the stopper 258 gradually decreases in size at positions of increasing distance from the cup 252. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in some embodiments, the stoppers 258 extend sufficiently to engage the aligning member 242 of the sleeve 240 to prevent the carrier 250 from popping out of the sleeve 250 when the carrier 250 is extended.

Referring again to FIGS. 2, 6, 7 and 8, in some embodiments, the carrier 250 further includes a pair of lugs 259 projecting from the curved external walls 2544 and engaged with the helical track 238 of the spiral 230 to cause the cup 252 to move relative to the aligning member 242. In some embodiments, a position of the lugs 259 on the curved external walls 2544 is lower than a position of the stoppers 258 on the flat external walls 2542. In other words, distances between the cup 252 and the stoppers 258 are less than distances between the cap 252 and the lugs 259.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, in some embodiments, the housing assembly 20 further includes a weight block 260 received in the collar 220 and in contact with the ribs 234 of the spiral 230 to make the cosmetic container 10 stand and lie more stably. In some embodiments, the weight block 260 has an annular profile such that a portion of the shaft 232 is surrounded by the weight block 260. In some embodiments, the weight block 260 is formed of steel.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the cover assembly 30 is provided to close a forward end 21 of the housing assembly 20. In some embodiments, the cover assembly 30 includes an inner cap 310 and an outer cap 320 receiving the inner cap 310. In some embodiments, the inner cap 310, made of polycarbonate (PC), encloses the collar 220 and the sleeve 240 and contacts the contact surface 2122. In some embodiments, the inner cap 310 may include a forward portion 312 distal from the base 210 and having a first profile (such as a circular profile), a rim 314 proximal to the base 210 and having a second profile (such as a square profile), and an inter. Mediate portion 316 sandwiched between the forward portion 312 and the rim 314. In some embodiments, the intermediate portion 316 has a diameter D that gradually increases in size at positions of increasing distance from the forward portion 312. In some embodiments, the rim 314 is in contact with the contact surface 2122 after the cover assembly 30 is fitted to the housing assembly 20.

In some embodiments, the outer cap 320 has an elongated tubular shape with a substantially square cross-sectional profile. In some embodiments, the outer cap 320 includes an interior shell 322, an exterior transparent shell 324 enclosing the interior shell 322, and a decorative material 326 between the interior shell 322 and the exterior transparent shell 324. In some embodiments, the interior shell 322 and the exterior transparent shell 324 may made of the same material, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) plastic. In some embodiments, the interior shell 322 is made of, for example, anodized plastic to provide a metallic look, and the exterior transparent shell 324 is made of, for example, PMMA.

In some embodiments, an air space 328 is created between the interior shell 322 and the exterior transparent shell 324 and adapted to be filled with solid, liquid or a combination thereof. In other words, the decorating material 326 may be a solid (such as paper), liquid (such as a fluorescent solution) or a combination of solid and liquid, such as a plurality of paillettes 3262 distributed in oil 3264. In some embodiments, by adjusting a title angle of the cosmetic container 10, the paillettes 3262 and oil 3264 may flow in an air space 328, as shown in FIG. 9.

In some embodiments, the cover assembly 30 may further include a lid 330 that forms an air-tight seal over the air space 328. In some embodiments, the lid 330 may be made of, for example, anodized plastic or PMMA plastic. In some embodiments, the lid 330 may cover the interior shell 322 and the exterior transparent shell 324.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a cosmetic container. The cosmetic container includes a housing assembly and a cover assembly snap fitted to the housing assembly. The cover assembly includes an outer cap including an interior shell, an exterior transparent shell and a decorative material; the exterior transparent shell encloses parts of the interior shell to create at least one air space between the interior shell and the exterior transparent shell, and the decorative material is disposed in the air space.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. For example, many of the processes discussed above can be implemented in different methodologies and replaced by other processes, or a combination thereof.

Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, and composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the present disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods and steps. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cosmetic container, comprising: a housing assembly; and a cover assembly snap fitted to the housing assembly, the cover assembly comprising: an outer cap, comprising: an interior shell; an exterior transparent shell enclosing the interior shell to create an air space between the interior shell and the exterior transparent shell; and a decorative material disposed in the air space.
 2. The cosmetic container of claim 1, wherein the outer cap further comprises a lid sealing the air space.
 3. The cosmetic container of claim 2, wherein the lid covers the interior shell and the exterior transparent shell.
 4. The cosmetic container of claim 1, wherein the decorative material is a combination of solid and liquid.
 5. The cosmetic container of claim 1, wherein the cover assembly further comprises an inner cap received in the outer cap.
 6. The cosmetic container of claim 4, wherein the inner cap comprises: a forward portion having a first profile; a rim having a second profile; and an intermediate portion sandwiched between the forward portion and the rim, wherein the intermediate portion has a diameter that gradually varies in size at positions of increasing distance from the forward portion.
 7. The cosmetic container of claim 1, wherein the housing assembly comprises: a base; a spiral disposed over the base and comprising a shaft and a helical track on an inner peripheral surface of the shaft; a sleeve seated on the spiral and comprising an aligning member; and a carrier slidably mounted in the sleeve and comprising a stem extending through the aligning member and a least one lug projecting from the stem and engaged with the helical track to cause the carrier to move relative to the base.
 8. The cosmetic container of claim 7, wherein the aligning member divides the sleeve into a front segment distal to the base and a rear segment proximal to the base, the front segment has a first diameter, and the rear segment has a second diameter less than the first diameter.
 9. The cosmetic container of claim 7, wherein the spiral further comprises a protrusion disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the shaft and captured by a groove provided on the sleeve.
 10. The cosmetic container of claim 9, wherein the housing assembly further comprises a collar having a front open end distal from the base and a rear closed end secured in the base.
 11. The cosmetic container of claim 10, wherein the spiral further comprises a plurality of ribs extending radially outward from the outer peripheral surface and an annular body disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft and connected to front ends of the ribs, and the ribs and the annular body are in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the collar.
 12. The cosmetic container of claim 11, wherein the ribs are separated by equal distances.
 13. The cosmetic container of claim 11, wherein the collar further comprises a projection protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the collar, and the projection is positioned above and in contact with the annular body.
 14. The cosmetic container of claim 10, wherein the rear closed end has a profile conforming to the base and the front open end has a profile different from the profile of the rear closed end.
 15. The cosmetic container of claim 14, wherein the collar further includes a flange disposed at an interfacing edge of the front open end and the rear closed end, and the flange is in contact with a contact surface of the base after being assembled.
 16. The cosmetic container of claim 14, wherein the collar further comprises at least one contact portion disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the rear closed end for engaging with at least one slot provided on the base.
 17. The cosmetic container of claim 7, wherein the housing assembly further comprises a weight block received in the base. 